Kazakhstan’s ruling party secures landslide victory in parliamentary election

Kazakhstan’s Party “Adilet” secured a decisive victory in the country’s first election to the new 145-seat Kurultai, receiving 71.17% of the vote, according to preliminary results announced by the Central Election Commission.

The Sunday (Aug.23) election was the first parliamentary vote held under Kazakhstan’s new constitution and marked the country’s transition from a bicameral Parliament to a unicameral legislative system.

Five parties clear the 5% threshold

Four other political parties crossed the 5% electoral threshold required to enter the new legislature.

The Auyl Party finished second with 6.26%, receiving 574,621 votes, followed by Respublica with 5.56%, or 509,631 votes.

The Aq Zhol Democratic Party secured 5.21%, equivalent to 478,083 votes, while the Nationwide Social Democratic Party received 5.11%, with 469,058 votes.

Two parties fell below the parliamentary threshold. The People’s Party of Kazakhstan received 3.11%, or 285,395 votes, while the Kazakhstan Green Party Baitaq secured 1.07%, with 97,751 votes.

Meanwhile, 2.51% of voters selected the “against all” option.

Adilet received the overwhelming majority of votes, with 6,528,948 ballots, accounting for 71.17% of the total.

Turnout exceeds 74 per cent

The Central Election Commission reported that 9,351,539 citizens took part in the election, putting preliminary voter turnout at 74.08%.

A woman casts her ballot at a polling station during early parliamentary elections in Almaty.

The high participation came as Kazakhstan held its first nationwide vote under the new parliamentary model established by the Constitution that entered into force earlier this year.

First election for the New Kurultai

The election established the first composition of the 145-member Kurultai, which replaces Kazakhstan’s former bicameral Parliament consisting of the Senate and Mazhilis.

All 145 seats were contested through party lists in a nationwide proportional representation system. Political parties were required to secure at least 5% of the valid vote to qualify for parliamentary representation.

The five parties that crossed the threshold were Adilet, Auyl, Respublica, Aq Zhol and the Nationwide Social Democratic Party.

Adilet’s political priorities

During the campaign, Adilet focused on state reform, economic development, digitalisation, education, regional development and social protection.

The party’s strong electoral performance places it in a dominant position as Kazakhstan prepares to convene its first Kurultai and begin the legislative phase of the country’s new constitutional system.

The preliminary results will now proceed through the formal certification process, after which the Central Election Commission will announce the official allocation of the 145 parliamentary mandates.

Note: I would keep the article at this point rather than repeat the vote percentages again. The exact vote totals are useful because they add information; the repeated percentages and descriptions do not.

Election marks a historic moment: Tokayev

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who voted in Astana on election day, described the first Kurultai election as a historic moment for Kazakhstan.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev walks out of a voting booth at a polling station in Astana.

Speaking to journalists after casting his ballot, Tokayev said: “Today is truly a historic day for our country. For the first time, we are holding elections to a unicameral Kurultai. This is an important historical event.”

He also said Kazakhstan had carried out large-scale reforms and achieved significant results, while stressing that substantial work remained ahead.

The president had previously described the election campaign as open, substantive and competitive, highlighting televised debates, meetings with voters, media coverage and social-media discussions as important platforms for political parties to present their programmes and engage with citizens.

People cast their ballots at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Almaty.

In an address to the nation on Aug.21, President Tokayev said the elections could become “perhaps the most interesting in the history of our country,” pointing to the emergence of new political figures and ideas and the active participation of young people, professionals and entrepreneurs.

People cast their ballots at a polling station during parliamentary elections in Almaty.

He said the new Kurultai should serve as “a common platform for constructive views and aspirations” and contribute to the country's continued modernisation.

Kazakhstan's new constitutional framework

The election also marks the first practical implementation of Kazakhstan's new constitutional framework. The Constitution that entered into force on July 1 replaced the former bicameral Parliament with a single-chamber legislature of 145 deputies, elected for five-year terms.

The preliminary result gives Adilet a commanding parliamentary position, while Auyl, Respublica, Aq Zhol and the Nationwide Social Democratic Party also crossed the 5% threshold and are set to enter the new legislature. Reuters reports that the four smaller parties are generally supportive of Tokayev's administration, meaning the election is likely to strengthen the president's political position as the new constitutional system begins operating.